Peter Haywood, of St Mary's, in Clifton, said that St George should be honoured with the same reverence as St Patrick or St David. He said: "I think it's important. We don't do enough for our patron saint.

"I think we ought to have a bank holiday and street parties, make it a social get-together where we meet our neighbours."

St George's Day has been steadily growing in popularity over the past few years. A survey in 2013 found that nearly three-quarters of British people wanted St George's Day to become a national bank holiday.

On Saturday, around 1,000 Scouts paraded through Nottingham city centre in their own annual tribute ahead of today's events.

7th Nottingham Cub Scout leader Elaine Eley said: "It went very well and everyone got into the spirit of it. We should all celebrate this day. It's an important part of our heritage."It was one of several events happening across the county to mark the occasion. Church bells rang out at over 20 churches throughout the county. The Willowbrook pub in Gedling, which also opened today, served a host of St George’s day treats with a host of English treats and delicacies. General manager Pete Hopwell said: “We did our best to get St George’s flag cocktail sticks but couldn’t find any sadly.“I think we should celebrate it more, we ought to be more patriotic.” However, the city centre parade was by far the most prominent. Supporters of all ages from toddlers to the elderly came out to show their colours.Although lively chanting echoed through the streets, the spirit was jovial and friendly throughout. Builder Stewart Dabell, 55, of Gotham took the day off especially so he could join the parade.He said: “I just wanted to come and see what’s happening. “It’s been great, I love all of it, the atmosphere is fantastic.”Bartender Pam Staples, 40, of Southwold Drive, Radford brought her two English bulldogs, Maddie and George, dressed up in St George crosses.She said: “We come here every year, I’ve been going for the past eight years. “We’re all English, and I think we ought to celebrate. They have a great time too.”Floor layer Tony Trendowicz, 51, from Bridgford said people should no longer be ashamed to embrace their English heritage.He said: “I’m half Polish and my dad fought in the Battle of Britain.“We wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for people like him. It takes a lot of people to make this country great and everyone should be included.“I’m proud to be English.”

4 comments

mint-sause, they'll ban christmas next i bet! and then Morris Dancing I bet!! And then...and then...Nigel Garage even though he is as English as Godfrey Bloom's mustard in his larder!!! I am all for the EU though and hope that Mr garage's wife is allowed to remain in the UK, whatever job she does.

Who would it upset? Let me enlighten you my friend. It would upset people like me who want no part in racism, fascism, nazism, islamophobism, ****phobism and any other ism you care to think of, apart from multiculturalism and diversism obviously!

"A survey in 2013 found that nearly three-quarters of British people wanted St George's Day to become a national bank holiday." Hardly surprising is it? "Do you want a day off work?" "Oh go on then!" We don't necessarily need more bank holidays, but the ones we do could certainly do with being more sensibly spread out. Why on earth do we need two in May?